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Central Valley Real Estate in Costa Rica |
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Edited by
Kenneth R. Saborio |
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Tuesday, 29 January 2008 |
The Central
Valley is still the most popular place to
live in Costa Rica. Some of the preferred
locations in the province of San Jose are
Escazu, Santa Ana, Cariari, Sabana, and
Rohrmoser. Escazu and Santa Ana feature
shopping malls, cinemas, restaurants, and
exciting nightlife in Costa Rica. Both towns
offer great views of the Central Valley
and the provinces of Alajuela and Heredia.
Central Valley Real Estate
The town of Escazu has a fascinating rural
ambiance which blends harmoniously with
its exclusive high-rise condominiums, elegant
homes, fabulous estates. San Antonio de
Belen, la Guacima and La Garita are also
some of the popular neighborhoods in the
Central Valley. Good services and near-perfect
climate are some of their main assets.
Alajuela and Heredia have a wide selection
of residential and commercial real estate.
These two beautiful provinces feature local
restaurants, small hotels and limited tourist
activity.
About The Central Valley
Costa Rica's capital, San Jose is located
in the central valley of the country surrounded
by vistas of volcanoes and fertile hillsides.
At 3,770 feet above sea level, the city
maintains a year-round moderate temperature,
varying from the mid-70s during the day
to the 60s at night-giving it a perfect
climate for visitors and residents alike.
Although founded around the mid 1600s, San
Jose didn't become the nation's capital
until the 1820s, after independence from
Spain. Since that time, San Jose and the
Central Valley within which it lies, has
become home to nearly a third of the country's
population.
After arriving into Costa Rica's newly modernized
Juan Santamaria International Airport, most
visitors will spend at least three days
in San Jose. Before heading out to the many
day trip opportunities in the Central Valley,
make sure you spend at least a morning or
afternoon walking within San Jose itself.
The offices of the Costa Rican Institute
of Tourism, the ICT, can provide you with
a comprehensive map that can aid you in
your exploration.
One of San Jose's sights of which Costa
Ricans are intensely proud is the National
Theatre in the Plaza de la Cultura. Inaugurated
in 1897, this architectural and artistic
gem is a prime example of the country's
rich history of the peaceful government
and desire for self-improvement: drawn by
the desire to attract the fine performing
artist of Europe to Costa Rica, a group
of coffee growers and merchants proposed
a form of self-taxation in order to finance
the theatre's construction.
European, as well as Costa Rican artisans
created a classic 19th century opera house,
that proved worthy of the opening night
production of Faust by the Paris Opera.
The theatre was given national monument
status in 1965, and today's visitors can
enjoy evening performances, daytime tours
or even a lovely lunch at the theatre's
charming cafe.
San Jose offers a wide variety of other
sights for visitors to discover. Lovely
parks, elegant cathedrals and world-class
museums are waiting to be explored. There
are a great variety of hotels, catering
to every style and budged, that make a stay
in San Jose more than comfortable, and after
exploring the city or the Central valley,
one can find plenty of restaurants to help
extend the pleasures of the day. Nearly
every cuisine of the world is represented
among the extensive offerings, and each
one will include typical "Tico" hospitality
along with whatever is on the menu. And
for those still looking for a little excitement
after dinner, one could head out to dance
or music clubs to enjoy anything from the
ubiquitous Latin beat, to classic blues
and jazz.
Travel Tips
Most visitors to San Jose will fly directly
to Juan Santamaria International Airport.
Costa Rica's air services are excellent
and offer daily flights to every province
in the country.
Climate
The average daytime temperature is about
75 degrees Fahrenheit. The rainy season
usually begins in May and last to October,
with showers mostly during the evening.
Mornings are fresh and dew laden.
What to wear
For traveling in the city, stick to comfortable
lightweight cotton clothing. Shorts are
best for the beach areas. Short-sleeved
tops and tee shirts are fine, but carry
a light jacket. A rain poncho is essential
when visiting during the rainy season. Walking
shoes and sports sandals will serve best
during city tours.
Services available
The public transportation is excellent in
San Jose. You will find that routes crisscross
the city at regular intervals and provide
a safe and inexpensive mode of transportation.
Pamphlets should de available from your
travel agency about the various private
bus and shuttle services that provide transportation
to most locations in the country, as well
as the national and private airlines. Taxi
services are widely available and easily
identifiable by the vehicle's red color
and yellow triangle on their door. They
are relatively inexpensive and are worth
considering when two or three are traveling
together. Make sure you agree on a rate
before you enter the cab, or ask for the
meter-"la maria"- to be used. Car rental
agencies are abundant! Conveniently located
in the airport and in numerous locations
throughout the city. You can go for a standard
car for city use, but a four-wheel drive
vehicle is recommended for traveling throughout
the country.
Places to go
National Theatre - An historic landmark.
Opera, classical music and other performances
can be seen at night.
National Arts and Cultural Center - Contains
exhibitions of art and photography, as well
as architectural displays. There is also
a performing arts area. The center includes
the Contemporary Art Museum.
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum - Collections
depicting Costa Rican history and culture
from pre-Columbian to present times. Housed
in an historic landmark.
Museum of Costa Rican Art - A collection
of Costa Rican art throughout history, including
the outstanding carved stucco walls of the
Salon Dorado. Housed in a historic landmark.
Pueblo Museum - A re-creation of traditional
settings in the countryside of Costa Rica.
The Butterfly Farm - The first commercial
butterfly farm in Latin America. Located
in La Guacima. Walking tours are available
through the greenhouse enclosure.
Joyas del Bosque Humedo - Located in Heredia,
displays the world's largest butterfly collection.
Lankester Garden - Located near Cartago
and now part of the University of Costa
Rica, these gardens contain over 800 species
of orchids, as well as other types of tropical
plantings.
Irazu Volcano - Reachable by car. Magnificent
views of the country from the world's highest
drive-to volcano.
Guayabo National Monument - The most important
pre-Columbian archaeological site in the
country.
Turrialba Volacano - Mountain biking, rafting,
horseback riding and hiking can all be enjoyed
in this area.
Poas Volcano - Reachable by car. Viewing
platforms to see the active fumaroles. Also
have nature trails and a beautiful view
of the country.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens - Butterfly observatory,
hummingbird garden, nature trails and waterfall
viewing-a little over an hour drive from
San Jose.
Cafe Britt - Located in Heredia, guided
tours are available through this working
coffee farm (finca). Along with coffee tasting,
there is an entertaining explanation of
the history of the drink.
Sarchi - Quaint village located thirty miles
from San Jose and home of the famous ox
cart factories.
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Costa Rica Specials
LEADER Realty
Phone/Fax: (506) 2226 6483
P.O. Box: 4766-1000 San Jose
E-mail: intercomcr@live.com
Barrio Vasconia, San Jose
Costa Rica
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